Pac-10 roundup: Former Auburn QB now Stanford FB

At this morning's Pac-10 Conference coaches teleconference, Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh announced that former Auburn quarterback Kellen Kiilsgaard has been moved to fullback.

The 6-foot-2, 220-pound freshman isn't on the two-deep for the season (and Pac-10) opener Saturday against UCLA.

Other notes from the non-Washington schools:

OREGON STATE, the first Pac-10 team to begin the season, hosting Utah on Thursday: Coach Mike Riley said he explained his plan to start quarterback Sean Canfield in the first quarter and then use Lyle Moevao in second quarter, regardless of how Canfield performs. "These two guys haven't separated enough to force a decision," Riley said. "So I want each to have a chance to contribute in their own way." … Riley also said that star receiver Sammie Stroughter "probably won't play" in the opener and that even though he is back practice with the team, his "future remains his decision and family decision." Stroughter left the team and planned to leave school, citing grief in dealing with the death of several people close to him. However, he quickly returned to practice and now apparently plans to stay. "We're kind of going day by day," Riley said. Riley also announced that kicker Alex Serna is now also handling the punting.

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OREGON, which hosts Houston on Saturday: Coach Mike Bellotti reports that starting quarterback Dennis Dixon has "looked very good, physically and with decision making." He reports the heath of the Ducks is good health. Said the question mark defense is front seven, "but I think we have a chance to be solid inside."

ARIZONA, which visits BYU on Saturday: Coach Mike Stoops said quarterback Willie Tuitama and the rest of the team is dealing well with the new spread offense. "I think our kids have really grasped this system well and we have kids that fit this system really well," he said.

USC, which hosts a reluctant Idaho on Saturday. Coach Pete Carroll explained that this game was arranged when Nick Holt was coach at Idaho. After Hold left to join Carroll's USC staff, Idaho tried to get out of the game. However, USC chose to hold the Vandals to their contract, citing the difficulty in finding an acceptable new opponent on that date. … Carroll also said that the starter from his crowded field of talented tailbacks won't be named until game time. … He also gave a glowing progress report on sophomore free safety Taylor Mays of O'Dea in Seattle, calling him "a fantastic kid, a great competitor."

UCLA, which opens at Stanford. Coach Karl Dorrell starting guard Shannon Tevaga is coming along well in the rehabilitation of his shoulder and eager to play.

ARIZONA STATE, which hosts San Jose State on Saturday: New coach Dennis Erickson said is goals at ASU are "to be competitive, try to win it, and try to get to the BCS. We have a way to go, but that's what our plan is at this time." … Erickson likened USC's ongoing dynasty to his own at Miami. "You get the best players and if you lose one game that's too much," he said.

CALIFORNIA, which is trying to play down the revenge and redemption angles of its rematch with Tennessee on Saturday. "It's more about how we play," coach Jeff Tedford said. "That's how we're going into the game, making sure that we reach our full potential and not so much about who we play." He acknowledged, however, that fans are putting extra emphasis on avenging the 35-18 loss to the Vols, which opened Cal's 2006 season. "It comes up constantly," he said. "When you talk about last season, you win 10 games, and they remember the bowl game a lot (a 45-10 win over Texas A&M in the Holiday Bowl), but it seems it always comes back to Tennessee."